2012 Resolutions, and I'm Stickin' to It

January 3rd, 2012 | Posted by Bryn in 2012 Resolutions | Living Simply - (Comments Off on 2012 Resolutions, and I'm Stickin' to It)

Happy New Year everyone! Welcome to 2012. First, I have a question for you, do you call it “two thousand twelve” or “twenty twelve”? Just curious. I think I’ll call it “twenty twelve.”

Anyway, we are three days into the new year, but there is always time to make resolutions. I don’t usually take new year’s resolutions too seriously, but this year, there are a few things I’d like to do.

  • Pray more. I’d like to start doing a daily devotional and praying with my husband more often. In our Why Catholic? group this fall, we talked about prayer and spontaneous prayer (rather than memorized prayers) with our spouse. This is something I’d like to do more regularly.
  • Go on dates. With my husband, of course. I’d like to make a point to go on a fun, creative date once a month.
  • Be healthy. It is totally amazing how exercise, eating healthy and drinking boatloads of water can make me feel. Sure, I’d like to lose a little weight and get thinner, but being healthy so I can have the energy to keep up after the kids is my main goal here.
  • No more CHAOS. Flylady says that many of us are living in C.H.A.O.S. – which stands for Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome. Many days, that’s true in my house. This is the year I’m keeping my house picked up and clean and getting out of CHAOS for good! (If you haven’t heard of Flylady, click here for more info. She’s awesome.)
  • Be bold and enterprising. I plan on expanding my blog this year and have a couple other projects on the back burner. This year I’m not going to chicken out or make excuses, I’m just going to go for it and use my God-given stubbornness on something worthwhile.
  • Simplify. I need to continue to organize and declutter my house and my mind. Instead of talking about selling and donating our excess stuff, I’m actually going to do it. See above on CHAOS.
  • Keep learning. I’d really like to learn how to sew. I have a really nice antique Singer that was left at our house by the previous owner, so I might as well. I’m also going to start actually doing projects I have pinned to my Home & DIY board on Pinterest.
  • More quality time with the kids. This is a constant thing for me. More trips around town, more reading, more playing. And less TV.

What are your resolutions for 2012? Any suggestions on how I can get on track with mine?

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Easiest Hummus Recipe Ever – with pictures!

May 28th, 2011 | Posted by Bryn in Recipes - (Comments Off on Easiest Hummus Recipe Ever – with pictures!)

I had a friend tell me that she wanted to learn how to make her own hummus, and it’s so easy that I had to post my “recipe”… It’s not authentic Greek hummus or a gourmet recipe by any means, but it sure is tasty!

First, gather your tools and ingredients: Colander with a bowl underneath, can opener, garbanzo beans, extra virgin olive oil, Cavender's Salt-Free all purpose Greek seasoning, salt & pepper, and a food processor

Next, open the can of garbanzo beans and pour them carefully into the colander, saving the juice from the can in the bowl.

Pour beans into food processor (Mine's a Tupperware Quick Chef Food Processor and Chopper) - I have the chopping blade in there now.

Add about two tablespoons of olive oil (I used my 1/4 c. measuring cup and filled it halfway)

Add a generous sprinkling (probably at least a couple teaspoons) of Cavender's Salt-Free All Purpose Greek Seasoning. I found it at our local Hy-Vee.

Put the lid on and process until almost smooth.

Take out the regular blade and put in the whipping blade

Remember that liquid you saved from the can of beans? You may want to add some of that in depending how smooth you like your hummus.

Whip the mixture until it's smooth and the texture you like. Then make sure you TASTE IT! You may need to add some salt and pepper, cumin, or a little garlic powder. Experiment by adding just a little until you find out what you like.

Once you get it tasting the way you want - put it in a bowl and dip tortilla chips or fresh veggies. You can also spread it on a pita with lettuce and black beans or put it on a tortilla and roll it up with a little bit of lunch meat. It's good for you and very versatile, so you can eat with many different things. Enjoy!

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